Connector for tent ridge poles



Nov. 11, 1952 E. F. CAMPBELL 2,617,436

CONNECTOR FOR TENT RIDGE POLES Filed May 2," 1950 INVENTOR 25 Edwarcffcamp en ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 11, 1952 UNITED STATES earner QFFICE CONNECTOR FOR TENT RIDGE POLES Edward F. Campbell, Jefiersonville, Ind.

Application May 2, 1950, Serial'No. 159,567

9 Claims. (01. 135 s) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1923; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

My invention relates to ridge poles for tents. The usual tent ridge pole is provided at each end with a hole or socket receiving the pins atop the upright tent poles whereby the ridge pole is seated atop such poles to complete the frame of the tent. However, such ridge poles include no provision for attachment to an upright pole at any point on the latter below the top thereof. Moreover, certain larger types of tents may include more than one ridge pole. Where all of the ridge poles are of the same height, the adjacent ends of two adjacent ridge poles may be supported atop a single upright pole. However, where one ridge pole is disposed at a lower level than the adjacent ridge pole, a separate shorter upright pole must be provided or special means must be used to attach the adjacent end of the lower ridge pole to the taller upright pole at an appropriate point below the top of the latter. It is with this problem, that the device according to the invention is concerned.

Previously, the taller pole has been provided with hooks, eyes, sockets or the like at an appropriate height for connection with complementary means on the lower ridge pole. However, not only do these attachments necessarily weaken the upright pole but they are at fixed heights, whereby no height adjustment of the lower ridge pole is possible. Such adjustment is highly desirable at times, particularly if the ground is not level. Also, the ridge pole and taller pole must both be modified and such modifications of the taller pole prevent interchangeability of the modified taller pole with like poles and vice versa.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of my invention to provide a ridge pole of the type described with means whereby it may be readily secured to an upright pole at any desired point along the length of the latter without any modification of the upright pole.

A further object is to provide at least oneend of a ridge pole with a connector for readily and slidably connecting such end of the ridge pole with a conventional upright pole.

A further object is to provide such a connector with gate means for releasabiy retaining the ridge and upright poles against relative lateral movement.

A further objectis to provide such a connector with a support engaging means for connecting the same to an adjustable support whereby to 2 anchor the connector and attached end of the ridge pole at an appropriate height.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the invention, the-structure of the several elements of the same, combination and arrangement of such elements and in the combination of the invention with the ridge and upright poles, all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawin'g'i'n connection with the following specification'wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a'ten't of "the type utilizing the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view on anenlar'ged scale of a ridge pole embodying the invention, parts being broken away;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the pole of Figure -2, parts being broken away;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrow 4;

Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged, transverse, vertical sectional views taken respectively substantially on the planes of the lines 55 and li5 of Figure 3.

Referring specifically to the drawing, wherein like reference characters have been used throughout the several views to designate like parts, and referring at first to Figure 1, l0 designates generally a tent of the type utilizing the invention. Thus, one end H of the tent IE3 is considerably higher than the opposite end I2. Moreover, it is obvious that the ridges l3 and I4 for the opposite ends are on different levels. The ridge l3 is defined or supported by a conventional ridge pole, not shown, which is conventionally supported atop a pair of conventional upright poles. The upright poles are not shown in Figure 1 but one of them is shown fragmentarily at l5 in Figures 3 and 4. Likewise, the lower ridge Hi is defined or supported by a ridge pole l5 '(Figures 2-6) which is conventionally supported (Figure 4) at the outer end by a short upright pole ll. The inner end of the ridge pole H3 is connected to the taller upright pole l5 by the device of the invention.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 6 inclusive, it will be seen that the ridge pole i6 is conventional with the exception that one end thereof has been slightly modified as will appear later and has my connector secured thereto. Thus, the outer end of the pole I6 is formed with a hole or socket I8 for the usual pin IQ of the upright pole Has 9,617,436 I l A T is usual in conventional ridge poles. However, as the inner end of the pole [6 will not normally be seated atop a short pole such as H, it has been provided with an upstanding pin Zii which extends through the top of the tent as does the pin I9 whereby displacement of the tent on the ridge pole I6 is prevented.

The connector according to the invention is likewise secured to the inner end or the ridge pole to and, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises a metal strip or strap 25 of L-shaped configuration having a leg 22 and a relatively shorter foot 23. The leg 22 is fixedly secured to one side of the inner end of the ridge pole IS in any suitable manner so that that portion of the leg to which the foot 23 is attached extends beyond the inner end of the pole t8 and so that the foot 23 extends across the inner end of the ridge pole in spaced relation thereto. This arrangement provides a laterally directed and substantially U- shaped pocket 26' in which the taller upright pole l is slidably received.

Although the leg 22 of the connector may be connected to the ridge pole by any suitable means, I prefer to utilize a pair of spaced bolts 2% and 25 for this purpose. Such bolts pass entirely through the pole Hi from side to side and are secured by the usual nuts 25 and H respectively, the latter nut being countersunk in the opposite side of the ridge pole for a purpose to be apparent later. The bolt 25 is longer than the bolt 25 and the free end thereof provides the pivot for a swivel plate 23 which is secured thereon for free pivotal movement by a nut 25 The free end of the bolt 25 is preferably upset to retain the nut 29 thereon.

The swivel plate 28 is fiat and has a free outer end which comprises a gate portion 38. The opposite end is cut away at the top to provide an elongated lug or stop 3! at the bottom which is adapted to extend below and engage the nut 26 of the bolt 2 whereby to limit pivotal movement of the plate in a clockwise direction to a position wherein the gate portion 30 extends at least partially across the open mouth of the pocket 26 so as to retain the upright pole i5 therein against lateral displacement. The pivot bolt 25 passes through the plate 28 in such offset relation to the center of gravity or" the plate that the latter is biased by the weight of the gate portion 35 thereof to the pocket closing position shown in full lines. However, the plate or gate 28 may be manually pivoted in a counterclockwise direction to the broken line position of Figure 4 wherein the gate portion 83 is entirely withdrawn from across the mouth of the pocket 26' so that the upright pole l5 may be inserted in or removed from the pocket.

To support the inner end of the ridge pole it at a selected height, there has been provided an eye 32 which is fixed in any suitable manner to the outside of the foot .23 of the connector. Any suitable flexible and adjustable support or tie such as the cord or rope 33, is secured to the eye 32. The opposite end, not shown, or the cord or rope 33, is secured to the upright pole E5, the ridge pole of the taller tent section 5 i or to any other suitable anchor whereby the h ight of the inner end of the ridge pole it may be adjusted readily. For instance, the rope 33 could pass over a pulley or equivalent (not shown) supported above the desired height in any suitable manner. This arrangement would permit adjustment from the ground.

It is apparent that the connector according to the invention may be secured at any desired point along the upright pole l5 without requiring any modification of the latter. Also, it is apparent that the particular connection between ridge and upright poles is sufficiently flexible to permit at least slight swayin or twisting of the poles without damage to the connector.

Also, while I have shown and described what is now thought to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible to other forms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limit myself to the precise structures shown and described hereinabove except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. The combination with a pair of tent poles of unequal height; of a ridge pole for comiecting said tent poles together, means for seating one end of said ridge pole atop the shorter of said tent poles, a connector fixed to the opposite end of said ridge pole for connecting said opposite end thereof to the taller of said tent poles below the upper end of the latter, said connector extending beyond said opposite end of said ridge pole and including a laterally directed free end whereby said opposite end of said ridge pole and said connector provide a substantially U-shaped pocket freely receiving said taller tent pole therein and substantially surrounding three sides thereof, a movable gate on said ridge pole for closing said pocket suificiently to prevent relative lateral movement of said ridge pole and said taller tent pole while permitting relatively vertical movement of the same, and means on said connector for anchoring said opposite end of said ridge pole at a selected point along said taller tent pole.

2. The combination with a pair of tent poles of unequal height; of a ridge pole for connecting said tent poles together, means for seating one end of said ridge pole atop the shorter of said tent poles, a connector fixed to the opposite end of said ridge pole for connecting said opposite end thereof to the taller of said tent poles below the upper end of the latter, said connector extending beyond said opposite end of said ridge pole and including a laterally directed free end whereby said opposite end of said ridge pole and said connector provides a substantially U-shaped pocket freely receiving said taller tent pole therein and substantially surrounding three sides thereof, a movable gate on said ridge pole for closing said pocket sufficiently to prevent relative lateral movement of said ridge pole and said taller tent pole while permitting relatively vertical movement of the same, an eye on said connector, and a flexible tie secured to said eye, said tie comprising means for anchoring'said connector and opposite end of said ridge pole at a selected height along said taller tent pole.

3. The combination with a pair of tent poles of unequal height; of a ridge pole for connecting said tent poles together, means for seating one end of said ridge pole atop the shorter of said tent poles, a connector fixed to the opposite end of said ridge pole for connecting said opposite end thereof to the taller of said tent poles below the upper end of the latter, said connector extending beyond said opposite end of said ridge pole and including a laterally directed free end whereby said opposite end of said ridge pole and said connector provides a substantially U-shaped pocket freely receiving said taller tent pole therein and substantially surrounding three sides thereof, a movable gate on said ridge pole for closing said pocket sufliciently to prevent relative lateral movement of said ridge pole and said taller tent pole while permitting relatively vertical movement of the same, and a, flexible tie secured to said connector for anchoring the same at a selected height along said taller pole.

4. A tent ridge pole, a metal strip secured to one side of said pole adjacent one end thereof, said strip having a portion projecting beyond said end of said pole, said portion having a laterally directed end portion overlying said end of said pole in spaced relation thereto and providing therewith a substantially U-shaped pocket adapted to receive an upright tent pole therein, gate means for said pocket, pivot means pivotally mounting said gate means on said ridge pole adjacent said end thereof for movement into and out of a position closing said pocket sufficiently to retain an upright tent pole therein, said pivot means being offset relative to the center of gravity of said gate so that the latter is biased to said position closing said pocket, cooperating stop means on said pole and gate for limiting movement of said gate in one direction to said position closing said pocket, an eye fixed to said strip, and ridge pole supporting means secured to said eye so as to permit anchoring of said end of said ridge pole at a selected height relative to an upright tent pole in said pocket.

5. A tent ridge pole, an L-shaped metal strap having a leg and a relatively shorter foot, means fixedly securing a portion of said leg to one side of said pole adjacent one end thereof, the remainder of said leg and said foot projecting beyond said end of said pole with said foot partially overlying said end of said pole in spaced relation thereto so as to provide a laterally directed open pocket adapted to receive an upright tent pole therein, a, plate, pivot means pivotally mounting said plate on the opposite side of said ridge pole adjacent said end thereof, said plate having a free end portion providing a gate, said pivot means being offset relative to the center of gravity of said plate whereby the same is biased to a, closed position wherein said gate projects beyond said end of said ridge pole and closes said pocket sufficiently to retain an upright tent pole therein, stop means on said ridge pole, said stop means being engageable with said plate to limit pivotal movement thereof in one direction to said closed position, an eye fixed to said foot outwardly of said pocket, and said eye being adapted to be secured to a flexible tie for suspending said end of said ridge pole.

6. A tent ridge pole, an L-shaped metal strap having a leg and a relatively shorter foot, means fixedly securing a portion of said leg to one side of said pole adjacent one end thereof, the remainder of said leg and said foot projecting beyond said end of said pole with said foot partially overlying said end of said pole in spaced relation thereto so as to provide a laterally directed open pocket adapted to receive an upright tent pole therein, a plate, pivot means pivotally mounting said plate on the opposite side of said ridge pole adjacent said end thereof, said plate having a free end portion providing a gate, said pivot means being offset relative to the center of gravity of said plate whereby the same is biased to a closed position wherein said gate projects beyond said end of said ridge pole and closes said pocket suificiently to retain an upright tent pole therein, stop means on said ridge pole, said stop means being engageable with said plate to limit pivotal movement thereof in one direction to said closed position, a pair of spaced bolts extending through said ridge pole from side to side and comprising said means for securing said first named portion of said leg to said ridge pole, one of said bolts also comprising means pivoting said plate to said ridge pole, and the other of said bolts also comprising said stop means for said plate.

7. A tent ridge pole, an L-shaped metal strap having a leg and a relatively shorter foot, a pair of spaced bolts extending entirely through said pole from side to side, said bolts fixedly securing a portion of said leg to one side of said pole adjacent one end thereof, the remainder of said leg and said foot projecting beyond said end of said pole with said foot at least partially overlying said end of said pole in spaced relation thereto so as to provide a laterally directed open pocket adapted to receive an upright tent pole therein, a plate pivoted on one of said bolts so as to lie along the opposite side of said ridge pole adjacent said end thereof, said plate having an outer end portion providing a gate, said last-mentioned bolt extending through said plate in offset relation to the center of gravity of the latter so that the same is biased to a closed position wherein said gate extends beyond said end of said ridge pole and at least partially closes said pocket so as to retain an upright tent pole therein, the other bolt having a projecting end providing a gate stop on said opposite side of said ridge pole, and said gate having an integral projection extending below said gate stop and engageable therewith upon pivoting of said gate in one direction so as to limit pivotal movement in such direction to said closed position.

3. A tent ridge pole, an L-shaped extension for at least one end of said pole, a pair of spaced securing means extending through said pole and said extension for securing the latter to said pole, said end of said pole and said extension cooperating to provide a laterally directed pocket adapted to receive an upright tent pole therein, gate means for said pocket, one of said securing means pivotally mounting said gate means on said ridge pole for pivotal movement into and out of a position closing said pocket sufliciently to retain an upright tent pole therein, and the other of said securing means including a portion engageable with said gate means for limiting movement thereof in one direction to said position closing said pocket.

9. The structure of claim 8, wherein said extension includes a portion adapted to be secured to a flexible tie for suspending said end of said ridge pole at a selected height relative to an upright pole seated in said pocket.

EDWARD F. CAMPBELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 7 Name Date 181,271 King Aug. 22, 1876 243,625 Rominger June 28, 1881 2,308,831 Roney et al. Jan. 19, 1943 2,440,557 Powers Apr. 27, 1948 2,499,897 Winquist Mar. 7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 235,400 Great Britain June 18, 1925 

